Get Crafty: 4 Easy Bird Feeding Crafts for the Family

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and the holiday season is just around the corner. This time of year is the perfect time for birders to gather up friends, family, and little ones to get crafty in the name of wild birds! Even though some temperatures may cause you to take craft time indoors, we've got a few favorite bird feeding crafts to warm your heart.

What we love most about these crafts is that they don't have to be created at a certain time-of-year restriction. Whether you decide to try them out tomorrow, next week, or three months from now, you can still celebrate bird feeding, and wild birds, in a fun way. We're excited to share four of our favorite bird feeding crafts with you, including materials, instructions, and a picture or two. Let's get crafty...

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

These are probably the most classic do-it-yourself bird feeders that birders love to make at home. Whether you're five or fifty, these pine cone bird feeders are sure to bring a smile to your face!

Materials Needed

Pine Cones

Peanut Butter

Bird Seed

Yarn or Twine

Spoons

Paper Plates

Instructions

Start by placing a pine cone on the paper plate in front of you.

Scoop out a dollop of peanut butter with the spoon and smear it on the pine cone. Make sure the cover the entire surface of the pine cone and push some peanut butter into the crevices.

Popcorn Treats

This alternative bird feeding craft is a great way to spread some cheer with your feathered friends, especially during the holidays! Throw in some berries for a sweet addition and to increase the overall look.

Materials Needed

Wire

Unsalted, unbuttered, popped popcorn

Berries (optional)

Instructions

Pop the unsalted, unbuttered popcorn in the microwave or on the stove-top

Form the wire into any shape you wish and start threading the popcorn onto the wire.

Add in the berries, if you wish, and tie the wire making sure that the sharp ends are covered or secured.

Hang the finished product on a tree and voila!

Homemade Binoculars

Last month we divulged the essentials to backyard bird watching with kids; we even mentioned homemade binoculars! Now, the binoculars won't necessarily help kids to get a closer look at wild birds, but it will help them to focus their attention.The most important thing is that they're out in nature with you.

Materials Needed (for 1 pair of binoculars)

Two, empty, toilet paper rolls

String

Sturdy tape - duct tape, preferably

Crayons, Markers, Paint, Glitter, buttons, etc.

Hole puncher

Scissors

Instructions

Encourage kids to start decorating both of the empty toilet paper rolls with paint, crayons, buttons, glitter, and anything else you have on hand. Let their toilet paper roll masterpieces dry.

Once dry, use the tape to connect the two toilet paper rolls together.

Then, punch a hole on opposite ends of the toilet paper rolls, at the top, and tie one end of the string in one of the holes.

Measure string around your child's neck and snip. Next, tie the loose end of the string to the other string.

Start bird watching!

Paper Plate Bird Crafts

Our final favorite bird feeding craft is the craftiest of them all! It's just so cute and fun that we have to include it in our favorites collection! Now, pull out the kid's painting shirts and get ready to get a little messy.

Materials Needed

Paper Plates

Washable Paint

Paint Brushes

Cups of Water

Glue

Scissors

Fun, Craft Eyes

Construction Paper or Markers

Feathers

Instructions

Set out the paint for kids to pick and choose from. Hand over the paint brushes and let them go to town painting the paper plates.

Once the painting is finished, let the paper plates dry completely. This is a great craft to do in the morning and finish up after nap-time in the afternoon.

Then, cut the center of the paper plate away from the exterior edge for the kids. They can help you to cut up the outside edge of the plate into smaller pieces.

Turn the plate over and start gluing the cut-up pieces of the edge of the paper plate to the back of the center circle. Let dry.

Turn the plate back over, glue on eyes, glue or draw on a beak, and add feathers to the outside of the plate.

We hope that this put you in the crafty mood to get out the glue, and gather a few things around the house to make bird feeding, and wild birds, even more fun! Happy crafting and birding!

And, we'd love to see your bird arts and crafts! Share them with us on our Facebook page!